Final answer:
A patient shows readiness to learn when they ask a question, as it indicates their engagement and desire to understand their health condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the primary indications that a patient is ready to learn is when the patient asks a question. This demonstrates an engagement with their health situation and an active desire to understand more about their condition or treatment. In a teaching environment, whether it's a medical setting or a classroom, expressing the need for more information by asking questions is a sign of readiness to learn.
It is important for educators and healthcare providers to encourage questions, as this can lead to a more informed and compliant patient who is actively participating in their own care. An example of this is when a patient does not understand their diagnosis and asks for more details, which indicates readiness to learn more about their condition.